Fandom Conventions In The Covid Age

[morgandawn]

 There are many fan-run conventions that might be interested in this. Also, the OTW might want to consider offering grants

There is a conference system called Remo that allows organizers to set up rooms with 'tables" with 6 seats where people can join and chat informally. It is the closest I've ever come to creating the convention experience but for online. If you see an open seat, you can drop in and have a video chat, then move on. This is in addition to the standard video presentations/panels etc.  If a group of conventions where to join together, they could buy an annual plan and rotate their conventions. Otherwise the cost is $450 for a one month subscription for an event up to 200 people. Non-profits get an additional 15% off

This could be used in connection with a chat platform like Discord

@escapadecon​ @fanworkscon​ @vidukon​ @kiscon​ @con-txt​ @confabcon​ @revelcon​ 

https://remo.co/conference/

Comments

[duskpeterson]

SFWA did this at their Nebula Conference, but manually, using Zoom. It sounds like a great idea.

Just to emphasize, though, that not everybody can easily participate in video-conferencing, just as not everybody can easily use text-based forums like Discord. A combination of video forums and text forums makes a con accessible to nearly everyone.

(I was a critic of the Nebula Conference because they funneled nearly all their social events through Zoom, to the neglect of their text-based forums.)

[morgandawn]

Nods. Why I suggested that it be used in conjunction with a Chat tool like Discord. In fact, most fan m conventions that I've currently attended, have both a zoom video and a simultaneous discord chat channel for those who want to participate either way. and a chat channel makes perfect sense when you have video panels that are larger than 25 or 30 people, because it's impossible for people to talk on a Zoom call without having moderation and hand raising

[duskpeterson]

Sorry, I should have said I was emphasizing your point about Discord. I was glad you brought that up. :)